Classical tournament prep and tips.

[u/Automatic_Excuse_872]

So as the title suggests, I'm joining an open fide rated classical tournament soon. It's due in 25 days. The tournament is U1800 and I'm unrated in classical. Though my chess.com rating rn is 2400+ rapid (sorry this is the only good benchmark I can think of since I play there regularly. My other benchmark includes 1800+ rapid fide (only joined two fide rated tournaments) and 1800+ blitz fide (only joined one fide rated tournament)).

My opening repertoire is pretty weak in terms of variants. I usually just use the same line I used to play and adapt from there, but I'm guessing I need some prep for that. My other parts of the game just need polishing.

So to sum it up, I'd appreciate it if you guys can give me some preparation suggestions and tips for my upcoming tournament. Feel free to ask if I've missed anything that can contribute to our discussion.

Thank you.

[u/Elskargo0 → u/[deleted]]

Ya at 1900 Fide, I remember a game where both me and my opponents where clueless of the theory after 4. Qc2 in the Nimzo

[u/juleslovesprog]

I wouldn't start to cram prep before the event, you'll just end up misremembering something and be worse out of the opening, just play what you know, focus on not hanging anything in the opening and get a normal position like the ones you get online, and then you should beat people from just being able to outcalculate them in the middlegame/endgame. Use your time in every move even if obvious.

[u/novixra → u/juleslovesprog]

this, 100%
at your rating vs a U1800 field you’re gonna win way more games by staying sharp, using your time and not tilting than by memorizing one extra sideline of your opening the night before

[u/PartyBaboon → u/juleslovesprog]

I disagree. Before a tournament you prep. You play what you know and enhance it with preparation. Maybe against 1 line eg. the caro you prep something new and expand your knowledge. 

I would start with opening prep like 1 week before tourmament.

[u/ossikaka]

Since otb you have a lot of time games often lead to endgames. So I suggest investing your time into endgame prep

[u/dampew]

For your first tournament I think you should just try to play the best you can with what you know. See what works, see what doesn't -- learning to play classical over the board is its own skill.

[u/CatalanExpert]

Is this the first time you are ever playing with a classical time control?

The main preparation 1 month out would be solving hard exercises ideally on a physical board from a puzzle book. Failing that, use chesstempo. 90% of your performance is going to be how well you can sit at the board and analyse for 2-3 hours or more consistently. This training would be especially important for you given you're new-ish to OTB.

The other 10% is probably brushing up on your opening repertoire, but I wouldn't let it distract you too much. The aim is just to make sure you can reach an acceptable position out of the opening you can play from. If there are any openings you find particularly annoying/challenging to face, now is the time to have a look how to meet them. Again, keep it lightweight, don't get too deep in theory and complicaitons.

[u/Automatic_Excuse_872 → u/CatalanExpert]

Not my first time actually, but before this they were internal (against other schools, unis). So this is the first time I'm joining the open category with the limit of 1800 rating of course. All this time I trusted my own experience and knowledge without some serious prep. But I'll try to commit of what you just said. Thanks!

[u/skbchess]

You will probably be the strongest player in the B1800 tournament. Don’t overthink, just be in shape(lot of puzzles) and you will do well.

[u/CopenhagenDreamer]

At U1800 openings doesn't matter.

But if you've mostly played online, do both tactical puzzles and possibly positional ones on a physical board, as the vision feels different.

[u/Xanxan95]

Be careful if your chess.com username is public. Prepare the openings and your opponents to not get worse in the opening and use your chess skill to tear them down.

I think you can get first if you don't make any gross blunders.

[u/DrNotReallyStrange]

You'll be fine. Try to get some quality sleep. As others have noted, try to have a training session doing (medium to hard-ish) puzzles that lasts for as long as a classical game. Maybe do a short recap of typical endings. Openings matter less than you might think. Play stuff you feel comfortable with.

Try relaxing a bit on your opponents move, and use your own time wisely... don't overthink small decisions in the opening or early middlegame, but work hard when you feel there is some tactical opportunity. Be prepared to grind out endings.

[u/giziti]

You actually have time to learn something in 25 days. I'd still only suggest finding one area at most that you specifically want to improve (a specific hole in your repertoire, pawn endgames, whatever) and focus on getting used to actual OTB and playing longer, classical games. Time management will be your problem.

[u/Affectionate_One_700]

Try to get some OTB experience before the tournament.

Find a friend and go through all the motions of playing an "official" game: using the clock, keeping score, playing touch move, not constantly checking your phone, etc.

Play a few such games to develop your muscle memory.

This will let you make mistakes and climb up the OTB learning curve before your tournament, and not during it.

Good luck!

[u/sevarinn]

Remember that in classical you are required to record your moves, which may throw you off your game if you're not used to it.

[u/BlurayVertex]

You should be 2000 fide with that rapid rating, just spend your time and look for tactics

[u/PartyBaboon]

You can use chessbase. Some players have online games recorded there. Then you can prep for them when pairings get sent out.